Maj. Gen. Ronald Laurence HUGHES [348]

  General Notes:

(image courtesy of T. Hughes)

1920 SA Birth 62A/320 HUGHES Ronald Laurence Otto William HUGHES Hilda Irene CURNOW Norwood

Canberra Times Wednesday 5 February 2003
Death Notice:
RONALD LAURENCE HUGHES, Major General CBE DSO, February 2 2003
Dearly loved husband of Joan. Much loved father and father-in-law of Alan (dec), David and Sonia, Geoffrey and Susanne, Loving grandfather of Robert, Leigh, Martin, Andrew and Veronica.
The funeral service for Major General Ronald Lawrence Hughes CBE DSO will be held in ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St Paul, RMC Duntroon on Friday February 7, 2003 commencing at 10am. Private cremation. No flowers by request
Tobin Brothers Funeral Directors Kingston 6295 2799 An Australian Company

Canberra Times Friday 7 February 2003
Death Notice:
HUGHES Ron Maj Gen
Task Force Cmdr Nui Dat 67-68
Vietnam Veterans are advised of the passing of our esteemed member Ron Hughes. Funeral Service Anzac Chapel Duntroon 1000hrs, Friday 7 February, Rod Tier Sec.

Herald Sun (Melbourne) Wednesday 5 March 2003
Obituary:
Maj-General Ronald Laurence Hughes, CBE, DSO
Marshalled forces with great aplomb
Professional soldier
Born: September 17, 1920
Died: February 2, 2003
Ron Hughes was an infantry officer who commanded a platoon and a company in World War II. In later years, he commanded a battalion in Korea, a brigade in Vietnam and later a division after Vietnam. First and foremost, Ron was a soldier who had nothing but praise for the fighting qualities of the Australian soldier. His personal attributes included integrity, loyalty, teamwork and self-discipline. Ron was born in Adelaide to Bill and Hilda Hughes. He was a good student and a keen sportsman, who was successful in whatever he did. Ron applied for entry to Duntroon in 1937 and was accepted. His class had their graduation brought forward to 1930 because of the war. He was involved in two amphibious landings, the first with the US 162nd Regiment at Nassau Bay. The US Commander was evacuated with a nervous breakdown and several days Ron advised the 162nd until a new commander arrived. In 1944 Ron finally got his wish of regimental service as a company commander with the 2/3 Infantry Battalion A/F. In 1945 he was promoted to major and returned to Headquarters 1 Australian Corps for the planning associated with the recapture of Borneo. He finished the war as a member of the Australian military mission at McArthur's Tokyo headquarters, returning to Australia in May 1946. Ron was then posted to the Directorate of Military Training.
He married Joan Mitchell on March 8 1947 and they had three sons - Alan, David and Geoffrey.
Ron had a varied and rewarding career after the war. He was an instructor at the School of Tactics and Administration, before becoming an instructor in military history and tactics at Duntroon. Ron was the commanding Officer of the 2nd battalion The Royal Australian Regiment before assuming command of the 3rd battalion The Royal Australian Regiment in Korea. Early in 1953, Ron and Joan's son, Alan, was diagnosed with leukemia. He died several months later. In the late 1950s, Ron was promoted to colonel and appointed director of the industrial mobilization course. Later appointments were deputy director of training and deputy director of military operations. In 1964, Ron was appointed military attaché Indonesia during a time of great unrest. Ron and Joan and other embassy members led a very unsettled and precarious life.
On return to Australia in 1966, Ron was promoted to Brigadier as Commander 6 Task Force in Brisbane. In October 1967, he assumed command of 1st Australian Task Force (IATF) in Vietnam. Ron found this post professionally rewarding, but he missed the personal day-to-day contact with troops that occurred at company and battalion level.
After his return to Australia, Ron was promoted to Maj-General as Director Joint Staff in Defence. In 1974, Ron was appointed Commander 1st Division, which he found very satisfying. Ron was a professional soldier who always gave his best. He was a family man who had great love for his wife and children. He did not advertise himself but his deeds are recorded in military history. This will be his memorial. (includes photo - Humble: Ron Hughes)

See Milestone Obituaries:
http://www.army.gov.au/Our-future/Publications/Australian-Army-Journal/Past-editions/~/media/Files/Our%20future/LWSC%20Publications/AAJ/2003Winter/15-MajorGeneralRonaldHughe.pdf

Ron married Kathleen Joan MITCHELL [349] [MRIN: 119], daughter of Rev. Donovan F. MITCHELL [8254] and Unknown, on 8 Mar 1947 in St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills, Melbourne. (Kathleen Joan MITCHELL [349] was born in 1921 and died on 30 Apr 2014 in Canberra, ACT, Australia.)

  Marriage Notes:

The Argus (Melbourne) Saturday 21 December 1946
Marriage Notice:
MITCHELL-HUGHES.-Kathleen Joan, eldest daughter of Rev. and Mrs. D. F. Mitchell, Surrey Hills, to Major Ronald Lawrence, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. O.W. Hughes, Murray Bridge (S.A.).

The Argus (Melbourne) Monday 10 March 1947
Brides Father Officiates at Army Officer's Wedding.
The bride's father officiated at the marriage of Miss Kathleen Joan Mitchell to Major Ronald Laurence Hughes, Aust. Staff Corps, at St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills, on Saturday afternoon.
Eldest daughter of Rev and Mrs Donovan F. Mitchell, of Surrey Hills, the bride was given away by her brother, Mr Bruce Mitchell, and attended by Miss Beth Margaret Mitchell. She wore an ivory satin gown and her mother's Limerick lace veil mounted on tulle. Gardénias formed the spray and trailer she carried.
The bridegroom, who is the elder son of Mr and Mrs O.W. Hughes, of Murray Bridge, South Australia, had Lieut-Colonel R.A. Hay as best man. Reception was at Butleigh Wootton.